The White House, U.S.A.
July 22, 2025

“We’re all very happy to be here to once again reaffirm the very strong ties between the Philippines and the United States, ties that go back over a hundred years. And considering the context in which we live these days, especially in my part of the world, this has become — this has evolved into as important a relationship as is possible to have,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remarked during his meeting with United States (U.S.) President Donald J. Trump at The White House.

In his opening statement, the President emphasized that the Philippines values its relations with the United States of America (U.S.A.), being its only Treaty Partner, and remains committed to strengthening this relationship.

“With the leadership of President Trump, I am very confident that we will be able to achieve that. I think it is worthwhile to remember that it was President Trump who, in his first term, characterized the relationship between the Philippines and the United States as ironclad,” he stated.

“And that has been necessarily the case since that time that you made that statement, Sir. And it is a one, it is something that the Philippines will always hold close to its heart. Thank you once again,” he added.

For his part, President Trump expressed that he and President Marcos Jr. are set to discuss trade and defense cooperation. “They’re a very important nation militarily, and we’ve had some great drills lately. We’re back with them… We have some fantastic military relationships with the Philippines, and that’s been reinstituted,” he said.

“We’re going to talk about trade today, and we’re very close to finishing a trade deal, big trade deal, actually. And we do a lot of business with you. It’s a lot of income coming in for both groups,” the U.S. Leader added.

To recall, President Marcos Jr. stressed that the purpose of his meeting with President Trump is to enhance the Philippines’ trade and economic cooperation with the U.S. He intends to negotiate with the Trump Administration, through constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue, a bilateral trade deal, especially in light of the recently imposed 20 percent U.S. tariff on Philippine exports.

Apart from his meeting with President Trump, the Chief Executive held a series of engagements with some of the leading business companies in the United States, aiming to grow opportunities for the Philippine economy.

“I was surprised to see the kind of numbers. They’re very big, and they’re going to get bigger under what we’re doing and what we’re proposing. And I just want to thank you for being with us. It’s a great honor. You and your representatives. It’s really a great, great honor,” President Trump conveyed in his message.

During the event, President Marcos Jr. and President Trump answered questions from the media after delivering their respective statements at the Oval Office.

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